The Shinnston News & Harrison County Journal has named Sarah Young as August’s Citizen of the Month, a program sponsored by Dorsey Funeral Home in Shinnston – locally owned & operated.
By TRINA RUNNER
News & Journal Staff Writer
Jim Parsons, the actor who portrays the beloved character Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory, has likened theater to his first love, even going so far as to call it home. For Sarah Young, one might say that theater is equally ingrained in her, along with a seemingly endless list of other talents that enhance both her teaching and her life outside the school.
Young is new in the hallways at Lincoln High School, recently having started as an English teacher. She is not new, however, to Shinnston. In fact, on any given day, she and her husband Jason Young can be found bringing the arts to Shinnston. The Vintage Theatre Company is owned by the couple and they have provided entertainment for the Theatre in the Park series for the past two years. The company recently performed Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ and have hosted several By Request vocal performances as well as the improvisation group, The Fearless Fools.
The Vintage Theatre Company donated the scoreboard at the park and participated in the United Way Bocce Ball Tournament for the past two years. Young’s commitment to the arts is multifaceted, as she has been involved in all aspects of the arts. She has worked professionally as a choreographer, a production stage manager, a teacher, a professor, a ballroom dance instructor, and a technical supervisor in plays across North Central West Virginia.
Young has been involved with Fairmont State University’s Town and Gown, Harrison County’s Summer Theatre, Bridgeport High School’s theatre department, and now is working with students from Notre Dame as they launch the new Performing Arts Conservatory. She also teaches classes for the Vintage Theatre Company and now Lincoln High School has welcomed her as one of their own.
Recently, Young was inducted into the Alpha Delta Kappa international honorary for female educators and will be serving others through their focus of education, world understanding, and community service.
In addition to being grateful for the opportunities afforded her, Young is also very honored by how the Vintage Theatre Company has been invited to give back to the community. The performances dedicated toward charitable giving are a very vital part of the process and she loves being a part of the Murder Mystery’s and improv shows that benefit area organizations.
Lincoln High School and Shinnston have been very kind in their welcoming of Young and she is excited to be involved in such a richly cultured community that is so supportive of the arts.
